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Konami Cuts Hideo Kojima From 'Metal Gear' Promo Materials

Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima is leaving Konami according to GameSpot's sources.

The words "A Hideo Kojima Game" and the Kojima Productions logo have been removed from promotional images at the Konami website as well.

Even the Kojima Productions website now redirects to a Metal Gear portal, and the Kojima Productions Twitter account is asking its followers to follow the Metal gear Twitter account instead.

This points to two things.

First, Konami is restructuring toward a "headquarters-controlled system" that emphasizes the Konami brand over its individual studios.

"As we have already announced, we are shifting our production structure to a headquarters-controlled system, in order to establish a steadfast operating base capable of responding to the rapid market changes that surround our digital entertainment business," the company told Eurogamer in a statement.

Hideo Kojima's name is now missing from the promotional materials for 'MGSV.'

GameSpot's anonymous sources, however, describe something of a clash or power struggle between Kojima and the publisher, which has essentially changed Kojima and other senior staff's position within the company to contractors rather than full-blown employees.

They suggest that Kojima and other senior staff will leave the company after the game ships later this year.

"After we finish MGSV, Mr. Kojima and upper management will leave Konami. They said their contract ends in December," the source told GameSpot.

This backs up statements earlier this month made by Kojima, who said “With Metal Gear Solid 5, I’m finally closing the loop on that saga. In that sense, this will be the final Metal Gear Solid.

“Even if the Metal Gear franchise continues, to me, this is the last Metal Gear.”

Kojima has not yet spoken up about any plans for departure from Konami.

Whatever is happening behind the scenes, striking Kojima from the game's marketing seems like a bad idea. Kojima is a recognizable, irascible game creator indelibly woven into the fabric of the series. Even if he is leaving at the end of the year, rebranding the game to fit more snugly within the Konami fold is an odd decision.

It may not impact the game's sales or marketing much, but no amount of pretending on Konami's part can change the fact that Metal Gear is Kojima's baby.